Mobile library service to return with new vehicles

A mobile library service which has been out of action for almost nine months is set to return later this year with a new vehicle.

Derbyshire County Council runs two mobile library vehicles - a north service based in Buxton and a south service in Long Eaton.

The south service was suspended in July 2025 following the retirement of the driver, with the authority unable to recruit a replacement. The vehicle also failed its safety inspection and was deemed "beyond repair".

The old vehicles on both services, which required a HGV category C licence to drive, will be replaced by smaller Peugeot Boxer vehicles which will come into service between May and June 2026.

A county council spokesperson said: "The new vehicles [have been] modified to have racking for books and they can be driven on a standard licence.

"[They] are also much cheaper to operate and maintain, and we hope will provide a much more reliable and agile service."

The spokesperson added that an online membership for mobile library users would be introduced at the same time.

"This will enable borrowers to renew and reserve books from home whenever they wish to do so, rather than having to wait for the next mobile library visit," the spokesperson said.

The south service visits towns and villages including Belper, Cotmanhay, Denby and Repton.

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